League Cup: Liverpool stunned by Northampton

League Cup: Liverpool stunned by Northampton

Liverpool suffered a humiliating home defeat on penalties by League Two (fourth division) Northampton Town in the English League Cup third round on Wednesday.

Liverpool, fielding a largely second-string team, took an early lead through striker Milan Jovanovic but fourth division Northampton took the match to extra time with a 56th-minute strike by Billy McKay.

Northampton went ahead eight minutes into the extra period through Michael Jacobs before a goal by striker David N'gog four minutes from time levelled the scores at 2-2 and sent the game to penalties.

The visitors team controlled the shootout and Abdul Osman converted his spot-kick in driving rain to secure a 4-2 victory on penalties and heap early pressure on new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

Image: -Liverpool's manager Roy Hodgson takes his seat during their English League Cup soccer match against Northampton Town at AnfieldPhotographs: Reuters

Newcastle surprise Chelsea

Newcastle United also became the first team to beat champions Chelsea this season when they edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3 at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, also playing a much-changed side, lost a competitive match for the first time since April when Newcastle came from behind to claim a famous victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea went ahead after six minutes through Patrick Van Aanholt, but Newcastle roared into a 3-1 lead with goals from Nile Ranger, Ryan Taylor and Shola Ameobi (49th).

The hosts, reduced to 10 men after Yossi Benayoun went off injured when they had used all their substitutes, struck back with two Nicolas Anelka goals, one a penalty, before Ameobi headed the winner in the 90th minute before six minutes of stoppage time.